Norwood signs for Seagulls

Central midfielder Oliver Norwood has this evening completed a transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal at the Amex Stadium.

Norwood was brought to Madejski Stadium by Nigel Adkins in August 2014 and made 75(+6) league appearances for the Royals, scoring four Championship goals during his two seasons as a Royal.

Norwood, who was preparing to enter the last year of his contract in Berkshire, made his professional debut against Brighton whilst on loan at Carlisle six years ago. He went on to play for Coventry City, Scunthorpe United and Huddersfield Town before venturing south to sign for the Royals two years ago.

He made his Royals bow when he came off the bench to replace Jake Taylor in a defeat at Nottingham Forest and then scored his first league goal at Rotherham towards the end of that same Championship campaign.

The Northern Ireland international completed a medical with the Seagulls earlier today and will link up with Chris Hughton’s squad – a group which includes ex-Reading men Liam Rosenior and Steve Sidwell and has also recently been bolstered by the arrival of former Royals loanee striker Glenn Murray.

Albion accumulated 89 points in the Sky Bet Championship last season, missing out on promotion to the Premier League on goal difference before bowing out of the play-offs in defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the campaign.

Norwood could now feature for his new side for the first time when they visit Derby County this weekend. Everyone at Reading Football Club would like to wish Ollie the best of luck in the next stage of his career.